A Google search on New Year’s resolutions instantly reveals a host of websites listing the most common goals. The lists look remarkably similar with essentially the same resolutions worded just a little differently and in various orders. Lose weight. Get fit. Find a better job. Make more money. Get out of debt. Spend more time with family. Be less stressed. Enjoy life more.
Where did this tradition of making a laundry list of everything we want to change about ourselves starting on January 1 come from? Blame the Romans, specifically Julius Caesar.
Caesar established a calendar year that began on January 1. The Romans placed the god Janus at the head of the calendar and named the first month after him. According to legend, Janus had been kind to the god Saturn and in return Saturn gave him special powers to look both forward and backward at the same time. Thus, Janus was often depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back.
This dual nature made him the patron of new beginnings, both abstract and concrete, like the beginning of human life, the beginning of religion, or the beginning of an historical era. He was also the god of physical things signifying beginnings like home entrances, gates, and bridges.
Because of his ability to look both into the past and into the present simultaneously, Janus also became a symbol of time. With Janus as inspiration, the Romans began the tradition of forgiving their enemies (looking into the past) and seeking blessings (looking into the future) as they rang in the New Year.
Modern day New Year’s resolutions follow this tradition. We look back despondently at bad habits developed over the years, and look forward dreamily wishing for things to be different. Perhaps on the list of things we want to change is our ability (or lack thereof) to make and keep New Year’s resolutions.
Rather than continue on this dizzying whirlwind of attempting to look both ahead and behind, join me in taking a page out of Cindy Sadler’s book at the start of this New Year. In her monthly column in this issue, she shares how instead of the typical list of goals, she picks one theme for the year. This allows her to focus on just one thing, something that she can and will accomplish.
Choose your theme, write and tell me about it, and let’s join together to focus on the future without living in the past.
